$Lesotho. @AfDB_Group launches its Lesotho Country Strategy Paper.
"Lesotho has assets that few countries in the region can match. These are genuine platforms for intensive employment growth." afdb.org/en/news-and-ev…
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Richard Humphries܁
29.5K posts
Richard Humphries܁
@RG_Humphries
7th Administration Monitor; African trade and regional integration.
Pretoria Katılım Nisan 2012
2.3K Takip Edilen4.8K Takipçiler
Richard Humphries܁ retweetledi
Yesterday, we formalised a Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership with the People’s Republic of China, establishing a flexible, forward-looking platform to deepen cooperation across trade facilitation, resilient supply chains, the digital economy, and inclusive, green growth.
Aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda, our focus is clear: industrialisation, export growth, and jobs at scale.
Nigeria is positioning deliberately for competitiveness, anchored on delivery.
#WeMove 🇳🇬🌍 #HMIndustryTradeInvestment
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Richard Humphries܁ retweetledi
The @AfCFTA Secretariat, @thebankofghana , the @FCDOGovUK , and @ODI_Global convened to mark the soft launch of Neofingo; a Digital Trade Finance Corridor designed to simplify and accelerate how African SMEs access cross-border trade finance.
Paper-based letter-of-credit systems have slowed transactions, introduced costly errors, and limited the growth potential of small businesses.
Neofingo is a Digital Trade Finance Corridor, a jointly governed protocol, that connects UK digital finance actors with African fintech ecosystems through a new form of AI-enabled and validated digital letter of credit.
This initiative signals a practical step toward closing sub-Saharan Africa’s $120 billion trade finance gap and advancing more inclusive global trade.
#Neofingo #AfCFTA #DigitalTrade #TradeFinance #SMEs
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Richard Humphries܁ retweetledi
The Risk Management Workshop for Customs and Other Government Agencies from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa was held on 24–27 March 2026 in Walvis Bay, Namibia, to develop an integrated risk management strategy to help the Customs Union curb illicit trade.
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Richard Humphries܁ retweetledi
This reinforces the reputational downward spiral of France's image in Africa. All the French initiatives and Summits focused on Africa will not compensate for such clear demonstrations of disdain.
TRT Afrika@trtafrika
France has disinvited South African President Cyril Ramaphosa from the G7 summit due in June because of US pressure, the South African presidency reported as saying Read more: trtafrika.com/english/articl…
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@yamkela_fanisi Congratulations, Yamkela. Now for some wine at Heritage!
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We did what we could with what we had. We stayed in our lane, carved our own path, and defined ourselves. Through it all, we remained true to who we are and to the course.
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Richard Humphries܁ retweetledi
Can African SMEs truly scale with digital tools and systems as drivers? Or is digital trade another non-tariff barrier? Join us this Friday in Yaoundé and online as these questions get answered.
TradeMark Africa CEO @daveghbeer moderates Session 5 "Tech, Trust, Trade" with Rwanda's Trade Minister @P_Sebahizi , @ecowas_cedeao Trade Director Kolawole Sofola, and SME founders from Nigeria and Ghana in the room.
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Richard Humphries܁ retweetledi
Afreximbank urges acceleration of implementation of the single continental market with AfCFTA Adjustment Fund afreximbank.com/afreximbank-ur…
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Richard Humphries܁ retweetledi
More than half (54%) of Batswana say they are dissatisfied with the way their democracy is working.
Head over to our website to read more: bit.ly/3I7hQQe
#VoicesAfrica #Botswana #Democracy
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Richard Humphries܁ retweetledi
Brazil’s BNDES signs MoU to support upcoming Development Bank of Mozambique
clubofmozambique.com/news/brazils-b…
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Richard Humphries܁ retweetledi
Zambia’s President, H.E. @HHichilema, has today commissioned the upgraded Nakonde One Stop Border Post, a critical trade gateway linking Zambia to Tanzania, the DRC, Zimbabwe and wider regional markets in Eastern and Southern Africa. The president was joined by senior government officials from Zambia and Tanzania and development partners, including British High Commissioner in Zambia, H.E. @RTerzeon, TradeMark Africa (TMA) CEO @daveghbeer, other dignitaries and the local community.
President Hichilema noted that the upgrade of the Nakonde OSBP formed part of Zambia’s broader effort to make trade and transport work better, adding that the continued improvement of the facility enables Zambia to leverage its strategic location to generate greater value to support children’s education, create jobs, improve healthcare, enhance business opportunities and generate government revenue.
Handling approximately 800 trucks daily, Nakonde plays a central role in facilitating trade across one of the region’s busiest corridors, connecting Zambia to the Port of Dar es Salaam and beyond. Phase 1 upgrade, funded by the UK Government (@FCDOGovUK) in Zambia through TMA, introduces improved infrastructure and modern systems to ease congestion, enhance cargo handling, improve traffic flow at the border, and strengthen regional connectivity.
#KeepAfricaTrading
@ZambiaRevenue @UKinZambia @BBCNews @BBCAfrica @markApriest @zadama24 @AnnMbiruru @jumuiya @COMESA_HQ @dailynewstz @RevenueTra @AllenAsiimwe1 @AfCFTA @SuluhuSamia @ElibarikiShammy @AntheVrijlandt
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Richard Humphries܁ retweetledi
The Expert Group Meeting on the assessment of the African Continental Free Trade Area implementation in the Republic of Uganda is taking place from 16–19 March 2026 in Entebbe.
The meeting marks an important step towards concluding Uganda’s national review under the #AfCFTA Implementation Review Mechanism (AFIRM), as part of ongoing assessments across State Parties.
Over four days, experts from the AfCFTA Secretariat, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, and relevant institutions are reviewing the draft One Report of the Study to strengthen its quality, accuracy, and evidence-based recommendations ahead of the validation workshop.
#AfCFTA
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Richard Humphries܁ retweetledi
Today, the #AfCFTA Secretariat welcomed senior representatives of The Coca-Cola Company for a productive exchange on promoting intra-African trade and strengthening regional value chains.
The discussion highlighted opportunities to expand local sourcing, drawing lessons from Coca-Cola’s Mango Hub pilot project, and explored how AfCFTA tools and instruments can help overcome practical barriers to cross-border trade. The meeting also identified promising areas for collaboration, including agricultural value chain development and the AfCFTA Trade Sandbox, while highlighting Biashara Afrika as an important platform for continued dialogue between the private sector and policymakers.
#afcfta
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Richard Humphries܁ retweetledi
In Gaborone, Botswana, Member States gathered for the 5th Sub-Committee Meeting on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The meeting focused on assessing progress in implementing Annex 6, addressing existing technical barriers, and reviewing the draft #AfCFTA MRA Appendix, a key instrument to support mutual recognition and make it easier for goods to move across African markets.
As work on implementation continues, here is a look back at the discussions shaping a more seamless continental trading environment.
#AfCFTA #MRA #TBT
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Richard Humphries܁ retweetledi
China’s new tariff‑free regime for Africa: the potential upside and downside
theconversation.com/chinas-new-tar…
@ZubyMusic @Moha001_Onyango @cchukudebelu @alykhansatchu @IEAKwame @RG_Humphries @Siderop @ProfSteveKeen @zhao_dashuai @CarlZha @michaelxpettis
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Richard Humphries܁ retweetledi
This week, Ghana’s @MINISTRY_MOTAI and Togo’s @CommercegouvTg with support from
TradeMark Africa, convened their first 2026 National Trade Facilitation Committee (#NTFC) meetings in Ghana and Togo respectively - an important step toward efficient, coordinated border systems that facilitate trade in perishable goods such as fresh produce, seafood, and pharmaceuticals. #WestAfrica #WTO #TradeFacilitation
@AllenAsiimwe1
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Richard Humphries܁ retweetledi
The SACU Senior Trade Officials have successfully concluded their four-day Strategic Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, today. The STOs will present their report at the Meeting of the SACU Ministers of Trade and Industry, which is scheduled to take place tomorrow in JHB.
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Richard Humphries܁ retweetledi
The @_AfricanUnion has to fund itself. International solidarity is always welcome but the era of overdependence is over.Thank you AU Chairpeson @ymahmoudali and the #African Union leadership for our meetings today . This is a longstanding problem which has defied many attempts but it is now time for resolution.
African Union@_AfricanUnion
The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, this afternoon received Donald Kaberuka, AU Special Envoy on Sustainable Financing for the Union & Financing for Peace in Africa, for consultations on advancing the reform agenda of the AU. The discussions formed part of the Chairperson’s ongoing consultations, in line with the guidance of the AU Assembly at its 39th Ordinary Session, on strengthening institutional reforms & ensuring the effective implementation of the Union’s mandate. Dr. Kaberuka commended the Chairperson & the leadership of the Commission in advancing reform initiatives, including the operationalisation of the Skills Audit and Competency Assessment (SACA). He, however, cautioned the evolving geopolitical environment & shifts in international development financing present growing challenges for multilateral institutions. In this regard, he underscored the importance of sustainable & predictable contributions from Member States to safeguard the Union’s financial sovereignty & enable it to deliver on the aspirations of the African people. The Chairperson @ymahmoudali reaffirmed that financial sovereignty remains a central priority of the new leadership of the Commission in advancing the objectives of Agenda 2063. He welcomed the decision of the Assembly to convene a joint session of Ministers of Foreign Affairs & Ministers of Finance to consult on & develop a sustainable financing model for the Union. The meeting also discussed the importance of greater coordination & harmonisation among the various specialised offices & institutions of the AU where necessary, in order to enhance coherence & ensure more effective delivery of the Union’s mandate. Dr. @DonaldKaberuka further briefed the Chairperson on ongoing efforts to secure sustainable financing for peace operations in Africa, noting the opportunities presented by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719. The Chairperson agreed that the resolution provides the most viable & sustainable framework for supporting African-led peace support operations. The Deputy Chairperson of the Commission, Salma Malika Haddadi, @DCP_Haddadi provided an update on the current status of the institutional reforms undertaken thus far, while Dagmawit Moges, Director of the African Union Peace Fund, briefed the meeting on the implementation of the Fund. The meeting concluded with a commitment to accelerate the reform process, with the Chairperson affirming that the new leadership of the Commission will prioritise the implementation of the AU reform agenda. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleas…
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Richard Humphries܁ retweetledi
#AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade provides for license passporting of Fintechs. Glad to see countries implementing the provisions of the Protocol.
Central Bank of Rwanda@CentralBankRw
After the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a License Passporting Framework, Governor @SorayaMHlive noted that the new License Passporting Framework is designed to enable seamless operations of Payment Service Providers across Rwanda, Ghana, and Kenya promoting innovation, competition, and broader access to efficient digital payment solutions. She added that with @CentralBankRw, @bankofghanax, and @CBKKenya taking the lead, this initiative should inspire other central banks to join the framework and accelerate Africa’s cross‑border financial integration. #IFF2026 #BNREngage #KnowYourCentralBank
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Richard Humphries܁ retweetledi
.@LandrySigne explains why many African countries “are more resilient than crisis narratives suggest”:
foreignaffairs.com/africa/africa-…
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